First, the food was very good. The ambience is not attractive at all, and quite noisy. They should probably beef up the perimeter insulation as it was cold inside; it was a very cold night but we could feel cold drafts indoors. The 3 star rating is because of how the place is run. We made a 7PM reservation and arrived on time. There were about 5 groups with reservations at 7PM standing in the vestibule a few steps away from the rest rooms, as there was a waiting list for arrivals with reservations!!! Despite the fact that they were clearly overbooked and overwhelmed, Open Table still showed plenty of available reservations for 7:00, 7:15, 7:30 etc. That is just poor management and bad business. I felt bad for the hostess who had to field the complaints of everyone arriving with reservations and there was really nothing she could do about it.
Adrien
Great ambiance and food. Good place for a special occasion, professional outing, or business casual gathering.
dylan
Great dinner, great service. Brought out complimentary champagne on our anniversary for us without us asking for it. Food is was good, drinks were good.
Gustavo Balestrero
YOU MUST HAVE THE CHAPLIN BURGER!!!
Chaplin is a great addition to downtown Shelton. The space is beautiful, the atmosphere feels upscale yet welcoming, and the food quality is solid across the board. Steaks are well prepared, seafood is fresh, and the menu is thoughtfully put together. Service was attentive and friendly, which made the overall experience very enjoyable.
The only downside was the drink pricing. While the cocktails are well made, a dirty martini at around $13 during happy hour felt quite high for the area. Not a deal-breaker, but something to be aware of.
Overall, a very good dining experience and a place I’d return to—especially for dinner—just mindful that drinks can add up quickly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Marissa
Everything was delicious but the dessert. My crème brûlée tasted eggy and cakey. My daughter's tres leches was not moist and the mint, although small pieces, was overpowering. My server, David was excellent. He was attentive, gave great suggestions and I noticed that it wasn't just at my table he was friendly with everyone. I would return but I won't have dessert.
Frank
Great bar had some fun drinks and great steaks. Appetizers were solid as well as the side dishes.
Athena Davis
A bit pricey for the area, but cocktails are fantastic and the food is divine. The Chaplin Burger is, without question, the best burger I've had anywhere. We've never been guided poorly when listening to our server's recommendations.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jamie
The shame of a restaurant like Chaplin is when they want to be big city (charging for bread service) with beautiful decor, a smaller menu of "elevated" items and they unfortunately miss out on almost every plate we had. The restaurant further perpetuates their imitation of a well-executed high-class restaurant by not having salt & pepper shakers on the table. Those who have experienced ultra-fine dining will understand that is indicative of a restaurant saying "our food is so perfectly seasoned that you will not need to season it further" I can tell you, that is not the case. The only dish that had flavor was the Roasted Beet offering. It should also be noted by the restaurant that balsamic vinegar added into olive oil as a bread dip is indicative of a low quality olive oil, perhaps that should be a consideration as they do charge for bread. The Au Poivre Steak Tips were Au Poivre in name only. I only tasted shallots in the sauce. The Chicken Milanese was so thin, dry and flavorless that the name should be changed to Chicken Cardboard. The Meatball Dish was very reminiscent of previously frozen meatballs warmed in a slow cooker with jarred tomato sauce. Our last dish was the Boston Bibn salad. The dressing was completely flavorless and unimaginative. Its saving grace was that the vegan were seemingly fresh and firm. The Espresso Martini sat so long on the waiting for the waiter that it separated and my first 2 sips was only vodka. The restaurant was VERY quiet last night. I want to say that the ambiance and staff were lovely. Unfortunately, with the subpar food we won't be returning. Perhaps reconsider a new kitchen staff or an Expeditor that is actively tasting the menu items?
Eva Jay
I’ve been here a few times and it’s been pretty consistent! The food is cooked correctly & good drinks. I think it’s always worth a visit here!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Paul
The food, drinks and atmosphere were all great! The roasted chicken was so delicious and tender! We will definitely be back!
Been many times, the food is the real star of the show.
This is a restaurant which people travel to dine. Very cool cocktail menu Very posh vibes any seat in the house.
Everything on the menu we ever have had is delicious, and worth the money. Lots of affordable appetizers or small bites. House burger with truffle fries is the best burger and fries in CT, imo
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cinthia
Peter the bartender and server was amazing. Very personable and attentive. The food was amazing, the oysters were delicious and the steak on point.
S F
I don't understand sitting there with a bunch of people and one person gets their appetizer, they finish, then another person get's there appetizer and so on. We all ate at different times. It was ridiculous.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 2
Lisa
We go to Chaplin every week, the food and service is EXCELLENT! We sit at the bar and Amanda and Peter are AWESOME! Great restaurant!
Patricia
First time at Chaplin 3 tables of 2 people in the restaurant- it was early evening- service should have been 5 star was 2 at best. Ordered Filet medium was medium well. I was 1/3 into the dinner before the waiter came over to ask if ok, told him it was medium well not enjoying it. He says I'll tell the kitchen my response is don't bother I'm already eating it. Other person at the table ordered steak that came with watercress salad. Watercress was very bitter and chewy -could not eat it. Music was loud almost to point of not hearing the person at your table. Not a great experience
First, the food was very good. The ambience is not attractive at all, and quite noisy. They should probably beef up the perimeter insulation as it was cold inside; it was a very cold night but we could feel cold drafts indoors. The 3 star rating is because of how the place is run. We made a 7PM reservation and arrived on time. There were about 5 groups with reservations at 7PM standing in the vestibule a few steps away from the rest rooms, as there was a waiting list for arrivals with reservations!!! Despite the fact that they were clearly overbooked and overwhelmed, Open Table still showed plenty of available reservations for 7:00, 7:15, 7:30 etc. That is just poor management and bad business. I felt bad for the hostess who had to field the complaints of everyone arriving with reservations and there was really nothing she could do about it.
Great ambiance and food. Good place for a special occasion, professional outing, or business casual gathering.
Great dinner, great service. Brought out complimentary champagne on our anniversary for us without us asking for it. Food is was good, drinks were good.
YOU MUST HAVE THE CHAPLIN BURGER!!!
Chaplin is a great addition to downtown Shelton. The space is beautiful, the atmosphere feels upscale yet welcoming, and the food quality is solid across the board. Steaks are well prepared, seafood is fresh, and the menu is thoughtfully put together. Service was attentive and friendly, which made the overall experience very enjoyable.
The only downside was the drink pricing. While the cocktails are well made, a dirty martini at around $13 during happy hour felt quite high for the area. Not a deal-breaker, but something to be aware of.
Overall, a very good dining experience and a place I’d return to—especially for dinner—just mindful that drinks can add up quickly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Everything was delicious but the dessert. My crème brûlée tasted eggy and cakey. My daughter's tres leches was not moist and the mint, although small pieces, was overpowering. My server, David was excellent. He was attentive, gave great suggestions and I noticed that it wasn't just at my table he was friendly with everyone. I would return but I won't have dessert.
Great bar had some fun drinks and great steaks. Appetizers were solid as well as the side dishes.
A bit pricey for the area, but cocktails are fantastic and the food is divine. The Chaplin Burger is, without question, the best burger I've had anywhere. We've never been guided poorly when listening to our server's recommendations.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The shame of a restaurant like Chaplin is when they want to be big city (charging for bread service) with beautiful decor, a smaller menu of "elevated" items and they unfortunately miss out on almost every plate we had. The restaurant further perpetuates their imitation of a well-executed high-class restaurant by not having salt & pepper shakers on the table. Those who have experienced ultra-fine dining will understand that is indicative of a restaurant saying "our food is so perfectly seasoned that you will not need to season it further" I can tell you, that is not the case. The only dish that had flavor was the Roasted Beet offering. It should also be noted by the restaurant that balsamic vinegar added into olive oil as a bread dip is indicative of a low quality olive oil, perhaps that should be a consideration as they do charge for bread. The Au Poivre Steak Tips were Au Poivre in name only. I only tasted shallots in the sauce. The Chicken Milanese was so thin, dry and flavorless that the name should be changed to Chicken Cardboard. The Meatball Dish was very reminiscent of previously frozen meatballs warmed in a slow cooker with jarred tomato sauce. Our last dish was the Boston Bibn salad. The dressing was completely flavorless and unimaginative. Its saving grace was that the vegan were seemingly fresh and firm. The Espresso Martini sat so long on the waiting for the waiter that it separated and my first 2 sips was only vodka. The restaurant was VERY quiet last night. I want to say that the ambiance and staff were lovely. Unfortunately, with the subpar food we won't be returning. Perhaps reconsider a new kitchen staff or an Expeditor that is actively tasting the menu items?
I’ve been here a few times and it’s been pretty consistent! The food is cooked correctly & good drinks. I think it’s always worth a visit here!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food, drinks and atmosphere were all great! The roasted chicken was so delicious and tender! We will definitely be back!
Restaurantji Recommends
Been many times, the food is the real star of the show.
This is a restaurant which people travel to dine.
Very cool cocktail menu
Very posh vibes any seat in the house.
Everything on the menu we ever have had is delicious, and worth the money. Lots of affordable appetizers or small bites. House burger with truffle fries is the best burger and fries in CT, imo
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Peter the bartender and server was amazing. Very personable and attentive. The food was amazing, the oysters were delicious and the steak on point.
I don't understand sitting there with a bunch of people and one person gets their appetizer, they finish, then another person get's there appetizer and so on. We all ate at different times. It was ridiculous.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 2
We go to Chaplin every week, the food and service is EXCELLENT! We sit at the bar and Amanda and Peter are AWESOME! Great restaurant!
First time at Chaplin 3 tables of 2 people in the restaurant- it was early evening- service should have been 5 star was 2 at best. Ordered Filet medium was medium well. I was 1/3 into the dinner before the waiter came over to ask if ok, told him it was medium well not enjoying it. He says I'll tell the kitchen my response is don't bother I'm already eating it. Other person at the table ordered steak that came with watercress salad. Watercress was very bitter and chewy -could not eat it. Music was loud almost to point of not hearing the person at your table. Not a great experience
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